Vintage School of Discipleship

We’ve sensed a hunger at Vintage, to go deeper in discipleship. To grow into the life Jesus has for us, and to impact the world around us.

So, we want to take some time to dig into our core beliefs and theology (including the tough topics). To strengthen our biblical understanding and gain the insights we need to apply it to our challenging cultural context.

To grow in our formation so that we can thrive. And be equipped to live out our faith in LA – in the light of the Christian imagination.

We believe that the best place to do this is in community. To gather with people that are at a similar place on their journey. Community is at the heart of discipleship. We don’t just want to provide information; we want to process it and walk it out together – and to make space in our lives for God to work in us.

So, we’ve created the Vintage School of Discipleship.

Will you join us?

What is it?

Vintage School of Discipleship is a new ministry of Vintage Church launching in September 2024.

Each evening will consist of dinner together, teaching, group discussion, and socializing. Some evenings will include a Q&R with a Vintage Pastor. There will also be study and practices to be completed at home by each participant, as part of their commitment to grow.

It’s made up of three, eight-week terms, Fall, Winter, and Spring. The commitment is to sign up for just one term at a time.

Each term will cover one module. While it works best if you do all the modules consecutively. If that doesn't work with your schedule, you can sign up for any term, and pause and continue at another time, if and when you’d like.


Who is it for?

Everyone who is part of Vintage Church LA and a committed follower of Jesus. Whether you’ve been following Jesus for a few months – or many years – it’s designed to equip you to go deeper in discipleship.

How does it work?

Where and when does it run?

  • Vintage Church LA, Santa Monica Location

  • Monday nights from 7-9pm

  • Term 1: September 30 to November 18.

What does it include?

Rich and relevant teaching content, tailored for our church. It will include discipleship and formation, deep exploration of our core beliefs and tools and practices to apply them.

While some of the themes may sound familiar, the school will go into more depth, and consider them within our challenging cultural context. As well as receiving insights on how you can apply the learning, you’ll get opportunities to ask questions, so that you can more confidently discuss what you believe and why.

We want to go on a journey as a church to deepen our theology  (particularly around controversial topics), grow in our spiritual practices and cultivate the friendships that are vital to following Jesus and seeking his Kingdom in Los Angeles.

We want everyone to have the chance to grow and connect in community. Small group discipleship was modelled by Jesus with the 12 Apostles and is a key aspect of discipleship. We’ll join together for the teaching and then continue the conversation in our small groups. Groups can sign up together, or if you sign up as an individual, you’ll be placed in a group that’s relevant to your life stage.

Groups

Sign up as an individual and get placed in a group

Signing up for School of Discipleship is a great way to get more connected in community at Vintage.

We will place you in a relevant group of 8-12 people. We’ll consider life stage and location to help you find your people.

If you sign up as an individual you can specify another person you’d like to be in a group with on the form.

The groups will be assigned on the first evening and you’ll stay in that group for the term (or for all three terms, if you’d like to).

Sign up as a group

Whether you’re signing up in your current Vintage Community or want to gather a group of friends, you can sign up as a group if preferred.

Group sizes will be approximately 8-12 people plus two group hosts assigned by our team. (If you’re signing up as a Vintage Community these may be your current group leaders.)

On the form, when asked who you’d like to be in a group with, please name your Vintage Community Leaders, or a nominated group coordinator, so that we know you’re joining together.

Q&A

  • Our Growth Pathway has four options to choose from.

    1. If you're exploring faith or have big questions about your faith, we recommend Alpha.

    2. If you're new to following Jesus we recommend Rooted.

    3. If you would call yourself a committed Christian, then we recommend the School of Discipleship – and that you join a Vintage Community after completing the School of Discipleship. We are encouraging this so that our Communities have a shared foundation of theology, practice and commitment to following Jesus.

    4. Vintage Communities are for continuing discipleship growth through our Community Curriculum and for those that cannot attend the School of Discipleship.

  • No! You have three options if you are already in a Vintage Community.

    A: Join the School of Discipleship with your community

    Some Communities may decide to join the Monday night School of Discipleship. You can register as a group and go through the School together.

    B: Join the Vintage School of Discipleship and take a break from your community.

    C: Continue in your Community

    We appreciate that many people have established beautiful Communities and want to stay together (and perhaps can’t even attend the Monday night School of Discipleship). Of course, continue to be in your amazing Community and enjoy the Community Curriculum. You can choose to participate in the School of Discipleship later (or as well as your group, if you like!).

  • Once you have completed the School of Discipleship, if you're not already in a Vintage community, we can help you form or join a Vintage Community for your ongoing discipleship if you'd like. We are continuing to develop a curriculum for our Communities that will complement and follow on from the School of Discipleship.

    NB: The Vintage Community Curriculum was formerly known as the ‘Discipleship Pathway’ but is being renamed Community Curriculum so it’s not confused with the overall Growth Pathway.

  • Yes! Vintage School of Discipleship will run annually and if it doesn’t work for you to join this fall, you could always join another term or year.

  • The Vintage School of Discipleship will continue to be a core ministry and we want to make it accessible for everyone over time. We will be exploring options in the future for those who are unable to participate in the current format.

  • Yes! If you have time in your schedule to do both, join us in both capacities.

  • In this case, you would need to decide. Do you have capacity to attend both, or do you need to make a choice as to which one you will be participating in? Lots of people will be attending School of Discipleship as individuals and will be placed in groups that we hope will turn into thriving groups of friends. We know this may be a difficult decision, but we hope that in your time at Vintage, you will get a chance to do both School of Discipleship and be part of a Vintage Community.

  • Each Term consists of one Module over eight weeks. There are three terms in total, Fall, Winter and Spring.

    Everyone will register for one Semester at a time. You can take a break and then rejoin when you are able.

    While we believe it's best if you are able to start the School of Discipleship in the Fall, you can join at the beginning of any term. You can also complete the modules in any order (we don’t want you to have to wait too long to join us!). And you can complete the modules over more than one year if needed.

Still have questions?

Contact our School of Discipleship team.